Human identification is currently one of the most outstanding areas of
Forensic Sciences.
Forensic anthropology is a branch of the
Forensic Sciences concerned with the application of general anthropological
knowledge and
methods to the process of
law. Postmortem
human identification is one of the major areas of study and
research in
Legal Medicine and
Forensic Dentistry and both
sciences work with the same type material and the
human body in several conditions. Every
human being has an identity in
life, which should be recognized after
death both for
family consolation and for juridical purposes. Therefore, the aim of this
literature review was to discuss and elaborate on the relationship between
Forensic Anthropology and
Molecular Biology in the expert practice of
Forensic Dentistry. The use of
DNA profile tests in
Forensic Dentistry offers a new perspective in
human identification.
Molecular biology techniques should definitely be added to the constellation of investigative
resources of the
forensic sciences, providing a variety of tools to
Forensic Anthropology practice in
human identity
research, especially when the usual identification
methods fail due to the deleterious effects of
heat,
trauma or autolytic processes on the body or
body remains.